Adolescent–Parent Dyadic Retention in an Interview Study and Changes in Willingness to Participate in a Hypothetical Microbicide Safety Study

Abstract Study Objective In this study we describe adolescent and parent retention and changes in willingness to participate (WTP) in research among adolescents, parents, and adolescent–parent dyads. Design and Setting Adolescent–parent dyads were recruited to participate in a longitudinal study to assess research participation attitudes using simultaneous individual interviews of the adolescent and parent with a return visit 1 year later using the same interview. Participants Adolescents (14-17 years old) and their parents. Interventions None. Main Outcome Measures The relationship between participant characteristics and dyad retention was assessed. WTP was measured on a Likert scale and dichotomized (willing/unwilling) to assess changes in WTP attitudes over time for adolescents, parents, and dyads. Results Eighty-three percent of the 300 dyads were retained. Dyads in which there was successful contact with the parent before follow-up were more likely to be retained (odds ratio, 4.88; 95% confidence interval, 2.57-9.26). For adolescents at baseline, 59% were willing to participate and 55% were willing to participate at follow-up (McNemar S = 0.91;  P  = .34). For parents at baseline, 51% were willing to participate and 57% were willing to participate at follow-up (McNemar S = 5.12; P  = .02). For dyads at baseline, 57% were concordant (in either direction) and 70% of dyads were concordant at follow-up (McNemar S = 10.56; P  = .001). Conclusion Over 1 year, parent contact might positively influence successful adolescent retention. Parents become more willing to let their adolescents participate over time, with dyads becoming more concordant about research participation.